Category Archives: Lineage

Low Transmission

The CDC is listing Gallatin County as having low COVID transmission right now (8/12/22)! This means masking is optional when you are in person at the BDC. We check Gallatin County’s status weekly and we have a sign on a table near our front door that lets you know if masks are required or optional. Masks are provided in case you don’t have one with you. If you’re at home and want to check Gallatin’s transmission rates, you can do so here. Thanks for helping to keep our community safe!

Bozeman Insight Community Update

Due to Suzanne’s retreat this fall, the Insight community has invited a stellar list of guest teachers for their Thursday nights. Since most teachers now to Sept 15 will be on zoom, the Insight sangha will be zoom only August 11 to September 15 (except August 18 which is in-person for Suzanne’s final evening before retreat). BIC will meet in-person again Sept 22 – Nov 3 (with Zoom option).  

  • August 11: Jim Dochnahl, co-leader of our sister sangha in Butte, via zoom
  • August 18: Suzanne’s final Thursday, in person.
  • August 25: Floyd Fantelli, our sangha’s former teacher and dear friend, via zoom
  • September 1: Marian Jenson, co-leader of our sister sangha in Butte, via zoom
  • September 8: Suzanne joins from the east coast, via zoom
  • September 15: Carol Blotter, back by popular demand, via zoom
  • September 22: Mary Corelli, local teacher specializing in eco-psychology, in person

See the complete schedule of guest teachers here

Half-Day Sit

Join Karen DeCotis and the Bozeman Zen Group on Sunday, August 14 for a half-day of practice. This is a wonderful way to deepen your practice, get some experience with retreat practice and still have your weekend!  Sit zazen, do walking meditation (kinhin), stretch, listen to a Dharma Talk, and chant.

The Zen group asks for a $15 donation for the 1/2 day to support the group, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. There is opportunity to offer dana to the teacher as well.

Developing the Five Strengths

This 3-hour workshop with Melissa McKay on Saturday July 30 will explore the five strengths of Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration, and Wisdom. Learn how to develop these essential qualities and live with more resolve, ease and clarity.

Befriending the Mind

The Bozeman Insight Community is excited to host Jill Shepherd for an evening talk on Befriending the Mind, Thursday, June 23 at 7PM Mountain time via Zoom. Jill says “one common misperception of meditation is that it aims to stop thinking, but the true purpose of insight meditation is to develop a more skillful relationship to every aspect of our experience, including our thoughts and emotions.” Jill will help us explore some ways to let go of unhelpful mental habits and to cultivate helpful ones: states of heart and mind that lead to greater ease, happiness, peace and freedom.

Jill Shepherd began practicing insight meditation in Thailand in 1999, and since that time has lived and worked at several meditation centres and monasteries in the US, Australia, England, and Thailand.

Currently, she divides her time mostly between the USA, Australia and New Zealand, teaching vipassana and brahmavihara retreats and offering ongoing study and practice groups focused on bringing the dharma into daily life.  She also leads courses and non-residential workshops exploring the relational practice of Insight Dialogue, as developed by Gregory Kramer and colleagues.

Masks Required

Our safety policy requires masks be worn at in-person events when levels of COVID transmission are high. Last Friday, the CDC reported that COVID-19 transmission levels for Gallatin County have reached that level and therefore we will again require all participants to wear masks at BDC events. Remember that Zoom is an option for most of our programs. The BDC safety policy can be read in full here.

Bozeman Dharma Center New Address!

We’re going to start meeting at our new Bozeman Dharma Center space next week!

The new address is 3810 Valley Commons Dr, Unit 6.  It’s between Fowler and Ferguson, one block north of Huffine. It’s upstairs. When you go up the stairs (or out of the elevator), turn to the left.  We’re kind of hidden off to the side.

The space won’t be completely unpacked, but the meditation hall will be usable.

Check out our calendar for meeting days/times.